Viasat’s Emerging Markets pay-TV operations comprise the DTH satellite platforms in the Baltics and in Ukraine, which is a joint venture, and the 11 Viasat channels that are distributed through third party cable and satellite networks to subscribers in 23 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and in the United States. Viasat Ukraine has been proportionately consolidated on a 50:50 basis with effect from 1 March 2008.
Sales for the combined pay-TV businesses grew by 58% to SEK 658 (417) million, operating profits more than doubled to SEK 106 (43) million. The results reflected healthy subscriber growth levels across the region, as well as a particularly strong performance by the Russian mini-pay business. The Ukrainian business is in its early stages of development and reported an operating loss of SEK 24 million.
| |
31 December |
31 December |
| Subscriber data |
2008 |
2007 |
| DTH Premium Baltics ('000s) |
218 |
164 |
| Mini-pay subscriptions ('000s) |
36,469 |
26,426 |
Significant events The Viasat Ukraine DTH satellite platform was launched on 21 April as a joint venture with Strong Media Group.
In April TV1000 Premium, with Hollywood blockbuster movies 24 hours a day, was launched in the Baltic states.
A new version of the original Nordic TV1000 Action channel was launched in September in Russia, other countries within CIS and in the Baltic states.
In November TV1000 Russian Kino was launched for the Russian speaking population of the United States, initially through the DISH Network, the third largest pay-TV provider in the US.
Significant events after the end of the year A new localised premium sports channel, Viasat Sport Baltic, was launched in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in January. With the introduction of Viasat Sport Baltic – and Viasat Golf – in the Baltic states, the previous pan-Nordic/pan-Baltic channels Viasat Sport 2 & 3 were closed down.
In February TV1000 Russian Kino became available to Time Warner Cable customers in the New York City Region.